Ichiyo Art Center

08/14/03

Dive into Japanese culture without leaving Buckhead.

by Contributor

The Scene
Through their art center and retail shop, Hiroshi and Elaine Jo bring a slice of inner harmony to one of Atlanta's busiest districts. Originally founded as a school for ikeban (Japanese flower arranging), Ichiyo now includes classes in many forms of Japanese culture and arts including calligraphy, bookbinding, brush painting and washi dollmaking.

The Goods
Ichiyo is known for its beautiful handmade Japanese paper (washi), which is used for gift-wrapping, stationery, invitations, bookmaking, framing and dollmaking. The paper comes in dozens of styles and prints--hand-painted, silk-screened, metallic and pressed banana tree are just a few. They also carry art supplies, like brushes and ink for calligraphy and kenzan for ikebana. You'll score decorating and gift ideas among the rubber stamps with Japanese images, pottery rice bowls and tea cups, books on bonsai and origami, washi paper lamps, chopsticks, silk kimonos and Japanese paintings.